Railway-signal and automatic train-stopping device.



F. JONES. RAILWAY SIGNAL AND AUTOMATIC TRAIN STOPPING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 11, 1914.

1, 1 30,980. Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

' HOWARD F. JONES, OF WARRENTON, NORTH CAROLINA.

RAILWAY-SIGNAL AND AUTOMATIC TRAIN-STOPPING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 9, 191 5.

Application filed June 11, 1914. Serial No. 8%,535.

To all whom it ma concern Be it known that I, HOWARD F. .JoNEs, citizen of the United States, residing at Warrenton, in the county of Warren and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway-Signals and Automatic Train-Stopping Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyin drawings, and to letters or figures of re erence marked thereon, which form a part of'this specification.

This invention relates to railway signals and automatic train stopping devices.

More. especially the invention relates to an improved form of semaphore arranged for positioning adjacent a track, the semaphore being also adapted to act as the track member of an automatic train stop device.

The principal object of the invention is to improve and simplify the general constructlon of si aling semaphores.

A second ObJGCt of the invention is to provide an im roved device adapted for use as a combine signal and track element of a stop mechanism.

A third object of the invention is to provide means whereby the semaphore will be kept from freezing up or becoming clogged by sleet or snow.

A fourth object of the invention is to provide an improved semaphore arrangement having a signal lamp so related thereto that as the semaphore indicates danger or safety the lamp in like manner will display an equivalent indication.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinw tions of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and Figure 1 is a perspective view of a semaphore constructed in accordance with this invention, the view showing the clear position in full lines and the dam ger position in dotted lines, there being also a track and an engine supported element shown in relation to the semaphore. Fig. 2 is a vertical median section through the semaphore proper. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the moving parts of the semaphore, the view also showing a certain guide pin in itsrelated position to such moving parts.

In carrying out the objects of this invention there is provided the usual foundation 10, which is located adjacent a track 11, and on this foundation is mounted the surface box 12. From the top of this box a tubular post 13 extends upwardly for any desired distance and branching laterally in the direction of the track 11 from this post is a tubular arm 14 which carries at its outer end a box 15. This arm 14 is closed off from the box 15 as clearly seen in Fig. 2, but is connected to a supply pipe 16 running up through the post 13 and forming a part of an air line 17 which leads off to any suitable place, as for instance a signal tower, the pipe being provided at such place wit a three way cock for the valve 18 controlle by a signalmans lever 19. With this valve communicates a pipe 20 leading from any suitable source of air pressure supply and from the valve extends an exhaust pipe 21.

Extending upwardly from the box 15 is a cylinder 22 closed at its upper end by a cap 23, butprovided just beneath the ca with vent openings '21. The lower end of t e c linder 22 communicates with the pipe 14 y means of a branch 25. Mounted within the cylinder 22 is a piston 26 whereto is connected a rod 27 extending downwardly through the box 15.

Connected to the lower part of the box 15 and depending therefrom is an outer tubular member 28 having its lower end flared to form a bell mouth 29. Slidably mounted in the tube 28 is a second tube 30 which has a swivel connection as indicated at 3] with the lower end of the piston rod 27. The lower part of the tube 30 is smaller than the interior of the tube 28 and slides through a guide ring 32 whereon rests a check spring 33 arranged to engage the enlarged upper portion of the tube 30 when the latter is at the limit of its downward movement.

It is intended that the tube 28 and also the bo.\' l5 and cylinder 22 shall all be painted or colored in some manner to indicate clear. For instance. all of these parts may be coated on the outside with "'hite enamel paint. The tube 30, on the contrary, is colored in some contrasting manner to indicate danger. For instance, the tube 30 nmy be coated with a red paint.

Now from an inspection of Fig. 2 it will be seen that so long as air is supplied through the pipe-2O the tube 30 will be kept raised and hidden within the tube 28 so that no indication of danger will be given. If the operator desires to move the semaphore to danger he merely shifts the lever 19 in such manner as to permit escape of the air from the cylinder 22 through the pipe connections, and exhaust 21. The weight of the tube 30 will then cause the latter to drop and expose this tube.

As previously noted, the device is intended also to act as the track member of a train stop system or mechanism. To this end it is intended that when the tube 30 is protruded this tube shall lie in the path of a trip lever supported on a locomotive or other rolling stock and arrange to cut out the motive power and apply the brakes of such rolling stock. Such a trip lever is here indicated in general at 34, but the specific cut out and brake applying means is not deemed necessary here to be shown as the device may be used with many different kinds of train supported mechanism. Moreover. it is to be noted, while in the present instance, the device has been shown as supported vertically, it is not essential that it shall be shown supported vertically, but it may be supported in any preferred position.

In order to display a light signal and.

also to keep the device from being clogged by ice or snow, there is provided at the bottom of the tube 30 a lantern 35 having differeritly colored lenses 3G and 37 .and further provided with vent openings 38 around the top. Now, when this lantern is lighted, the heated air will pass out of these vent openings and up closely around the tubes, and cylinder. so that these tubes and cylinder are at all times kept warm, thus preventing the accumulation of ice or snow therein. In order that the signal may be given by the lantern. provision is made for rotating the tube 30 as the same is telescoped by the action of the piston 26. To this end a cam slot 39 is cutin the tube 30 and a stud 40 is screwed through the tube 28 and enters this slot. This slot is so shaped and arranged that when the tube 30 is protruded the reouired distance the lantern 35 will be rotated so that in place of the white light 36 the red light 37 will be exposed in the direction of the approaching train.

While means for operating the device bv compressed air have been herein shown, it is to be understood that such means are merely typical of any manuall controlled means for so operating the device and that applicant does not desire'to confine himself solely to pneumatic means of operation. but wishes to include all that comes within the scope of the claims. When, however. such pneumatic means are employed, it is desirable to locate somewhere in the pipe 16 a pressure reducing valve or regulating valve, and in the present instance such a valve has been indicated in general at the junction of the support 13, and pipe 14, as indicated at 41.

From the foregoing, it will be plain that whenever a danger signal is given the tube 30 will be moved into the path of the arm 3% so that not only will the colored tube be exposed to warn the engineer, but will be moved in such position as to effect stoppage of the engine should they engineer neglect the warning. Moreover, at the time of exposure of such tube the lantern will be moved to indicate a corresponding signal.

It is to be noted that in the event of the air supply dropping the semaphore automatically moves to danger and that the same will take place in case of any breakage of the piston rod, leakage past the piston, or breakage in the ipe line at any point.

There has thus been provided a simple and efiicient device of the kind described and for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that many minor changes may be made in the form and construction of this invention without departing from the material principles thereof. It is not, therefore, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is wished to include all such as properly comes within the scope claimed.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A semaphore signal comprising an outer tube, a packing box in said outer tube, an inner tube telescopically mounted in the outer tube below the packing box, the tubes being of contrasting colors, a rod extending through the packing box, a piston mounted on the rod and operating in the upper portion of the outer tube, a lamp having two pairs of lenses of contrasting colors and mounted on the lower end of the inner tube and below the end of the outer tube, means communicating with the outer tube above the packing box to act on the piston to raise the inner tube into the outer tube, and means between the outer and inner tubes to partially rotate the latter.

2. A semaphore signal comprising an outer tube flared at its lower end and provided intermediate its length with a packing gland, an inner tube mounted in the outer tube below the packing gland, said tubes being contrastingly colored, a lamp on the lower end of the inner tube and provided with colored lenses corresponding to the colors of the tubes, said lamp having heat exit openings, the heat passing up into the flared end of the outer tube, means between the inner and outer tubes to cause rotation of the inner tube when .same is raised or lowered, a rod extending from the inner tube and through the packing gland,

a piston on the rod, and an air supply ipe communicating with the outer tube a ove the packing gland to supply pressure to the piston and elevate the inner tube and lamp. 3. A semaphore signal comprising an outer tube having a packing gland intermediate its length, aninner tube in the outer tube below the packing gland, said tubes being contrastingly colored, a lamp on the lower end of the inner tube, said lamp having a series of contrastingly colored lenses corresponding to the colors on the outer and inner tubes, the inner tube having a spiral slot, a pin extending from the outer tube and into the spiral slot to cause the inner tube to rotate when moved vertically in the outer tube.

4. A semaphore signal comprising a fixed Hollow standard, a pipe in said standard, a transverse pipe communicating with the pipe in the standard, a packing block on the outer end of the transverse pipe, an, outer tube mounted in the lower end of the packing block, an inner tube operating in said outer tube, a lantern having contrasting lenses on the lower end of the inner tube, means for rotating the inner tube when same is moved vertically in the outer tube, a tube on the top of the packing block, a piston in the last mentioned tube, a rod extending from the piston and through the packing box and connected to the inner tube, and a branch pipe extending from the transverse pipe to the tube above the packing block to supply air to operate the piston.

In testimony w ereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribingiwitnesses.

OWARD F. JONES. Witnesses:

J. K. Moonn, L. N. Gums. 

